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Cllr Morris Jones described the move as showing respect, adding, “Some may think this is not an important issue, but it’s all about paying respect.

“We are a part of the United Kingdom, where most civic buildings have the Union Flag on display. I respect that the flag may not mean a lot to everyone, but we should think of those that it does.”

However, Cllr Richard Dew, the authority’s Armed Forces champion, said: “I have had many family members serve in the Armed Forces, both past and present, and am rightfully proud of their contributions.

“But personally, I don’t believe we should change the existing policy and have it on display every day of the year.”

Meanwhile, language campaigners have welcomed a decision to forge ahead with gradually introducing Welsh as the main oral and written administrative language, while continuing to maintain a bilingual presence while dealing with the public.

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However, this was also turned down by members, despite the urging of Cllr Peter Rogers the authority should not go down the road of ‘linguistic apartheid.’

But deputy leader, Cllr Ieuan Williams, insisted the authority did have a mandate as it was following guidelines put in place by the Welsh Government, which has set a target of 1m Welsh speakers by 2050.

The motions on both the flag and the Welsh language were turned down by the same margin of 22 votes to six.

“We hope to discuss these matters with the Council Leader soon, and look forward to having confirmation of the timetable for moving all the council departments to this best practice in terms of language policy.

“If the council implements this policy correctly, and promptly, it will be a big step forward for the Welsh language, not only locally, but nationally.

“Organisations which work through Welsh only succeed in teach workers from every background to speak and use the Welsh language confidently in every aspect of life.”